Camden County has issued a state of emergency banning people from using fireworks in anticipation of July 4th celebrations.

With a drought characterized as “extreme,” the county hopes to avoid fires. Wildfires have already burned a quarter million acres this year in south Georgia.

Camden County Sheriff’s Deputy William Terrell explained that the ban includes all fireworks, even sparklers:
“We just can’t tolerate this and we know it’s the nation’s birthday and all that stuff, but this one particular year public safety has to kind of trump those celebrations; and hopefully people will get that message that’s it just a temporary thing, until the weather improves, and we get some rain and it’s not so dry.”

The town of St. Mary’s will host an authorized fireworks display over the St Mary’s river. While Glynn and Charlton Counties urge caution, they have not declared a ban on fireworks.